Guide to the The Graeme M. Clark Collection of Awards

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MS 10114

National Library of Australia View Catalogue Record

Collection Summary

Creator
Clark, Graeme Milbourne, AC, Professor
Title
The Graeme M. Clark Collection of Awards
Date Range
1958 - 2018
Collection Number
MS 10114
Extent
8.00 metres (3 Archive Boxes + 2 MS Boxes + 22 Phase boxes + 1 large folio box + one small case)
Language of Materials
English
Repository
Special Collections (Manuscripts)

Introduction

Scope and Contents

MS 10114 comprises the collection of medals, plaques, awards and degrees awarded to Clark, largely celebrating his pioneering work in the development of the cochlear implant (bionic ear).

Conditions Governing Access

Please refer to the collection's catalogue record for the access conditions (http://nla.gov.au/nla.cat-7791877).

Conditions Governing Use

Copying and publishing of unpublished manuscript material is subject to copyright restrictions. For such material, written permission to publish must be obtained from the copyright holder(s). Copying of unpublished material for research purposes is permissible 50 years after the death of the creator of the material.

Preferred Citation

Items from this collection should be cited as '[Title or description of manuscript item], Papers of Graeme M. Clark, National Library of Australia, MS 10114, [class/series/file/item number(s)]'.

Manuscript Branch, National Library of Australia:

Papers of Graeme M. Clark

Oral History Branch, National Library of Australia:

Interview with Prof. Graeme Clark, Director of Bionic Ear Institute and Laureate Professor of Otolaryngology [sound recording] / interviewer, Diana Giese

Graeme Clark interviewed by Daniel Connell in the Australian Academy of the Humanities Fellows oral history project

Biographical Note

Otolaryngologist and cochlear implant inventor. Graeme Milbourne Clark led pioneering research and development of the bionic ear, a multiple-channel cochlear implant which enables hearing and speech comprehension in people with severe-to-profound hearing loss. Born in Camden, New South Wales in 1935, Clark's career path was motivated by his own father's deafness. Extensive study in the fields of medicine and surgery with specialisation in ear, nose and throat surgery led to his appointment in 1970 as foundation Professor of Otolaryngology at the University of Melbourne.

In 1984 Clark founded the Bionic Ear Institute as an independent, non-profit research organisation, remaining as director until 2004. Throughout his career and since "retirement" in 2004, Clark has maintained an active involvement in a large number of Australian and international organisations in his efforts to provide effective hearing for the deaf. He has been the recipient of a large number of awards and honours in recognition of his achievements, including Officer of the Order of Australia (AO) in 1983 and Companion of the Order of Australia (AC) in 2004.

Item Descriptions

Medal of the Australian College of Health Services and Administrators, 1986 (File Item 3) - Box 1

Medal awarded to Graeme Clark in recognition for having established the first public hospital Cochlear Implant clinic in the world at the Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital and University of Melbourne.

Advance Australia Award, 1986 (File Item 4) - Box 1

Medal presented to Clark by the Governor of Victoria. Included is a photograph of Clark and his son, Jonathan, in Government House holding the award. (See also trophy in box 2/item 4A)

Medal of Merit from the International Association of Lions Club, 1990 (File Item 7) - Box 1

Clark received the medal as recognition of his close relationship with Lions International. Lions were significant benefactors to the Cochlear Implant work from its early days in the 1980s and made a significant contribution to the work, including early involvement in establishing safety. (See the book Sounds from Silence for further details)

Clunies Ross National Award for Science and Technology, 1992 (File Item 8) - Box 1

Clunies Ross National Award for Science and Technology in memory of a great Australian Scientist (tie-pin). (See also medal in box 4/item 8A)

James Cook Medal, 1992 (File Item 9) - Box 1

Clark received the prestigious James Cook medal from the Royal Society of NSW for outstanding contribution to science and human welfare in the southern hemisphere.

Carey Medal from Carey Grammar School, 1997 (File Item 14) - Box 1

Clark received the inaugural Carey Medal awarded by Carey Grammar School for a distinguished Carey parent or student.

Sir William Upjohn Medal, University of Melbourne, 1997 (File Item 15) - Box 1

This medal is awarded every 4 years for outstanding contributions to medicine for people not only from the Faculty of Medicine but external to it.

Gordon Smyth Medal, British Association of Otorhinolaryngologists, 2005 (File Item 38) - Box 1

Clark received the Gordon Smyth Medal from the British Association of Otorhinolaryngologists - Head and Neck Surgeons in recognition of his contributions to the specialty and on the occasion of delivering the Gordon Smyth lecture in Edinburgh.

Medal of Merit, Royal College of Surgeons, 2005 (File Item 40) - Box 1

Clark received the Medal of Merit from the Royal College of Surgeons in Edinburgh. This was a significant event as it was the 500th year celebration since the founding of the college. The Duke of Edinburgh and Kofi Annan, Secretary General of the United Nations, also received awards.

International Speech Communication Association Medal, 2005 (File Item 41) - Box 1

Clark received the International Speech Communication Association Medal, presented in Lisbon at a meeting of the Association, the premier speech association in the world. This medal is given to leading speech scientists in the discipline.

Lambie Dew Oration Medal, 2006 (File Item 43) - Box 1

Clark received the Lambie Dew Oration Medal and gave the address for the 150th anniversary for the Faculty of Medicine at the University of Sydney. This was especially significant as Graeme Clark received his training at the University of Sydney in the years 1952 to 1957. He was also in the last year to be lectured by Professors Lambie and Dew.

Klaus Joachim Zülch Prize, 2007 (File Item 45) - Box 1

Clark received the Klaus Joachim Zülch Prize from the Getrud Reemtsma Foundation administered by Max Planck Society in Germany. This is the most prestigious prize awarded in neuroscience in Germany.

Advance Australia Award, 1986 (File Item 4A) - Box 2

The Advance Australia Award was presented to Graeme Clark by the Governor of Victoria. (Trophy) (See also medal in box 1/item 1)

Paul Harris Award from Rotary International, 1999 (File Item 17) - Box 2

Clark received the Paul Harris Award from Rotary International, in recognition of his work to help people and an acknowledgement of the support received from Rotary for this work in its important early stages, and also one was received a few years later by Graeme Clark's first patient, Rod Saunders.

Victoria Prize, 1999 (File Item 19) - Box 2

Clark was awarded the Victoria Prize, a celebration of outstanding achievements in science, engineering and technology (lapel pin) (See also plaque in box 22/item 19A)

Olympic Medal, 2000 (File Item 20) - Box 2

Commemorative 2000 Olympics Medal presented to Clark by one of his patients, Ari Fisher, who featured in the Telstra commercial at the time of the Commonwealth Games. He and his family were grateful to Clark for his ability to hear.

Vernon Collins Memorial Oration, 2004 (File Item 31) - Box 2

Clark received the Vernon Collins Memorial Oration and Medal, given at the Royal Children's Hospital. This had personal significance as Bernard Collins was supportive in establishing audiology in the Department of Otolaryngology when Clark took the Chair.

Trophy from the Director of Medical Services in India, 2006 (File Item 47) - Box 2

Given in recognition of Clark's contribution through teaching and inspiring Indian surgeons and audiologists.

A. Charles Holland Foundation International Award, 2005 (File Item 39) - Box 3

Clark received the A. Charles Holland Foundation International Award for the pioneering research and development of the first clinically successfully cochlear implant. It has had a major impact on audiology, auditory rehabilitation and otology in general. It was presented at the International Otolaryngological Society Meeting in Rome on the 26th of June, 2005, and is regarded as the major international prize for work in this field.

Peter Howson Medal, 2007 (File Item 44) - Box 3

Clark received the Peter Howson Medal for outstanding contributions in the field of deafness from the Deafness Foundation in Victoria. This was especially significant since Graeme Clark was the Chairman of the committee that first established the Foundation of Victoria and was instrumental in continuing the work, and invited Peter Howson to be president. (This is outlined in the book, Hearing the Need of the Deafness Foundation 1974 to 2006, edited by Ellaine Downie.)

Distinguished Visitors, Queen Beatrix and Prince Claus, 1988 (File Item 6) - Box 4

Clark received a visit from Queen Beatrix and Prince Claus of the Netherlands, and in gratitude the Government gave him a replica of the astrolabe from the ship Batavia, which was wrecked off the coast of Western Australia.

Clunies Ross National Award, 1992 (File Item 8A) - Box 4

Clunies Ross National Award for Science and Technology in memory of a great Australian Scientist. (Medal) (See also tie-pin in box 1/item 8)

Centenary Medal, 2003 (File Item 27) - Box 4

The Centenary Medal presented to Clark for contributions made to Australian Society.

Prime Minister's Prize for Science, 2004 (File Item 34) - Box 4

Clark received the Prime Minister's Prize for Science. This is one of the most prestigious prizes for science in Australia, and was originally called the Australia Prize.

Australian Achiever of the Year, 1999 (File Item 18) - Box 5

Clark was made an Australian Achiever of the Year for his pioneering work on cochlear implants and the award was presented by the National Australia Day Council.

Most Distinguished Australian Scientist of the 20th Century, Tall Poppy Award, 2000 (File Item 21) - Box 5

Clark was selected as one of eleven Australian scientists who were considered to be the most distinguished of the 20th Century

Champion of the West Award, 2005 (File Item 37) - Box 5

Clark received Champion of the West Award which recognises distinguished people in different walks of society in the western region of Sydney. Clark grew up in Camden, outside Sydney

Ian Wark Medal, Australian Academy of Science, 2006 (File Item 42) - Box 5

Clark received the Ian Wark Medal and delivered the Ian Wark lecture at the Australian Academy of Science. The award is given every second year and recognises research which contributes to the prosperity of Australia where that prosperity is attained through the advancement of scientific knowledge or its application, or both.

Melbourne Vocational Services Award, Rotary Club of Melbourne, 1986 (File Item 2) - Box 6

Clark received the Melbourne Vocational Services Award from the Rotary Club of Melbourne. Th3 plaque was designed by Michael Meszaro.

First Volta Award, 1993 (File Item 12) - Box 6

Clark was presented with the First Vault Award in recognition for his pioneering work in the development of multi-channel Cochlear Implants from the Cochlear Implant Club International.

Award of Excellence in Surgery, Australasian College of Surgeons, 2005 (File Item 24) - Box 6

Clark was given the Award of Excellence in Surgery from the Australasian College of Surgeons in recognition of his pioneering work in Cochlear Implant surgery.

National Day of Parent Thanksgiving, 2005 (File Item 36) - Box 6

Clark was recognised at the National Day of Parent Thanksgiving for his help for disadvantaged people.

Rio Tinto Science Heroes Award, 1999 (File Item 16) - Box 7

Lifetime Achievement Award, Monash University, 2007 (File Item 48) - Box 7

Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences and Monash University Medical Foundation.

Honorary Fellow of the Audiological Society of Australia, 1992 (File Item 10) - Box 8

Clark was made an inaugural Honorary Fellow of the Audiological Society of Australia for his outstanding contributions in establishing the academic basis for this discipline in Australia. He is recognised for this in a 2008 history of audiology by arguably the father of audiology, James Jerger, from the USA

Honorary Doctor of Science, University of Wollongong, 2002 (File Item 23) - Box 8

Clark was granted an Honorary Doctor of Science by the University of Wollongong for his outstanding research in the development of the cochlear implant.

Aram Glorig Award, 2002 (File Item 25) - Box 8

Clark received the Aram Glorig Award for lifelong promotion of audiology and his pioneering work in cochlear implants. It was presented in March 2002 by the International Society of Audiology in Melbourne.

Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital Retirement Plaque, 2004 (File Item 29) - Box 8

On retiring as surgeon at the Eye and Ear Hospital, Graeme Clark received a plaque of appreciation from Professor Ryan, Chair of Board of Directors. Graeme Clark was the longest-serving doctor at the Eye and Ear Hospital and contributed greatly to different areas of its clinical outreach, but especially bringing fame to the hospital through establishing the work on cochlear implants as part of the hospital's activities.

IFMBE Otto Schmitt Award, International Federation for Medical and Biological Engineering, Munich, 2009 (File Item 53) - Box 8

The International Federation for Medical and Biological Engineering makes this award every 3 years for exceptional contributions to the advancement of the field of medical and biological engineering. Awarded in 2009 for Graeme Clark's innovative research to further the development of the cochlear implant technology for worldwide benefit.

Australian Government Representative, Taiwan, 2003 (File Item 28) - Box 9

Clark was a visitor to Taiwan, representing the Australian Government and communicated with many children who had received a Cochlear Implant. He received a plaque in recognition of his services.

Vice Chancellor's Nominee, 1986 (File Item 5) - Box 10

Clark was the Vice Chancellor's nominee for Australia to represent Australian Science at a festival honouring Australia, in Houston, Texas and he was also the Visiting Professor at the Baylor Medical College. A medallion was presented to him in recognition of this honour.

Committee of Melbourne Achiever Award, 1995 (File Item 13) - Box 10

Clark received the Committee of Melbourne Achiever Award for his contributions to Melbourne through the development of the cochlear implant. This had added significance as Clark's ancestors were pioneering people in Melbourne and in western Victoria.

Errol Solomon Meyers Memorial Lecture Medallion, 2008 (File Item 50) - Box 10

Senior Australian of the Year, 2001 (File Item 22) - Box 11

In 2001 Graeme Clark became Senior Australian of the Year as an outstanding citizen for his contributions in helping to restore hearing with a cochlear implant and the trophy was presented by the National Australia Day Council.

Victorian Senior Australian of the Year, 2001 (File Item 22A) - Box 12

Clark was the Victorian Senior Australian of the Year, which was a prelude to being made Senior Australian of the Year.

Entrepreneur of the Year, 2002 (File Item 26) - Box 13

Clark was the southern region winner of the Entrepreneur of the Year for the role he played in bringing industry and university research to a successful outcome.

Victorian William Wilberforce Award,, 2007 (File Item 49) - Box 14

Clark was presented with the Victorian William Wilberforce Award for his work to help people and demonstrating his Christian faith in action.

MCSI Faith and Work Award, 2005 (File Item 35) - Box 15

Clark received the inaugural MCSI Faith and Work Award from the Macquarie Christian Studies Institute, allied to Macquarie University, in recognition to his contributions to science, medicine and encompassing a Christian faith.

Australian Father of the Year, 2004 (File Item 32) - Box 16

Clark was made Australian Father of the Year and his trophy was presented by the Australian Father's Day council on 3rd of September 2004. It was in recognition of his work to help so many deaf children and in recognition of the fact that he was father of five children and had six grandchildren.

Libby Harricks Memorial Oration, 22 May 2009 (File Item 51) - Box 17

This Award was to acknowledge Clark's outstanding contributions in helping deaf people through the Deafness Forum, a body set up to represent different groups. Professor Clark chaired and initiated the first such body in Victoria in 1971, called the Deafness Foundation of Victoria which led to the Australian Deafness Council and later the Deafness Forum. Libby Harricks was a driving force in self help for deaf people.

Cooperative Research Centres, 1992 (File Item 11) - Box 18

Clark was the Founding Director of the Cooperative Research Centre Cochlear Implant Speech and Hearing research, an initiative established by the Australian Government.

Medal from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem (File Item 54) - Box 19

Medal from the Hadassah Hebrew University Medical Centre, Jerusalem (File Item 55) - Box 19

Medal from the Shaare Zedek Medical Centre, Jerusalem, 1978 (File Item 56) - Box 19

Medal from the Jerusalem Centennial Symposium, 1978 (File Item 57) - Box 19

Retirement Statuette, 2004 (File Item 35A) - Box 20

The statuette was created by donations from Graeme Clark's friends and staff in acknowledgement of his 34 years as Head of the University's Department of Otolaryngology. It was designed and sculpted by Michael Meszaros, a Melbourne sculptor. It symbolises the togetherness of people with implants, the association of technology on the left and nerve responses on the right and the spiral of the inner ear in the middle, recognising Clark's integration of research and clinical work and pointing heavenwards to acknowledge inspiration from God.

BHP Award for Excellence in Science and Technology, 1984 (File Item 1) - Box 21

Clark received the BHP Award for Excellence in Science and Technology. The BHP awards were in different categories and only awarded in 1984 and 1988.

Victoria Prize, 1999 (File Item 19A) - Box 22

Clark was awarded the Victoria Prize, a celebration of outstanding achievements in science, engineering and technology (plaque). (See also lapel pin in box 2/item 19).

The inaugural Graeme Clark Oration award, 2007 (File Item 58) - Box 23

Presented to Clark on the occasion of the inaugural Graeme Clark Oration.

Papers, certificates, merit awards and an original cartoon, 1958-2007 (File Folder 59) - Box 24

A large binder containing university degrees, correspondence with and notes about institutions making awards to Clark, typescript of an acceptance speech, and certificates of merit awarded to Clark over a number of years. There is also an original cartoon featuring Clark by cartoonist Mark Knight.

A group of twelve certificates of achievement, together with a royal photograph, 1958-2005 (File Packet 60) - Box 25

Fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons of England, 11 Nov 1963; Fellow of the Royal Society of London, 16 Jul 2004; Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery, The University of Sydney, 23 Jan 1958; Master of Surgery, The University of Sydney, 4 Jun, 1969; Honorary Fellow of the Royal Society of Medicine, London, 14 Jul 2005; autographed portrait poster of the Queen and Prince Philip, 2000; Collegium Reginm Chirurgorum, 1962 (College of Surgeons, Edinburgh).

A group of six certificates of achievement, 1995-2009 (File Packet 61) - Box 25

Fellow of the Australian Academy of Science, 30 Apr 1998; Fellow of the American Institute for Medical and Biological Engineering, Mar 2007; The International Speech Communication Association, Medal for Scientific Achievement, 2005; Victorian Wilberforce Award, 2007, marking the contributions of Victorian citizens who have made an outstanding contribution to the Australian community; Committee for Melbourne, Melbourne Achiever Award, 1995; election of Clark as an RiAus Inaugural Bragg Member, 8 Oct 2009.

A group of six certificates of achievement, 1998-2016 (File Folder 62) - Box 25

Fellow of the Australian Academy of Science, for outstanding contributions to science, 1998; Doctorate (honoris causa), The University of Zaragoza, Spain, 21 May 2010; Doctor of Health Sciences (honoris causa), University of Technology Sydney, Oct 2013; Lasker-DeBakey Clinical Medical Research Award, 20 Sep 2013; Fritz J. and Dolores H. Russ Prize, 24 Feb 2015; Australian Society of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Life Membership, 7 Mar 2016

CSL Florey Medal, 2011 (File Item 63) - Box 26

Awarded to Clark for significant achievements in biomedical science and human health advancement.

Zotterman Medal, Nobel Institute of Neurophysiology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, 16 Sep 2011 (File Item 64) - Box 26

Awarded to Clark for his work in developing the multi-channel cochlear implant. Clark's Zotterman medal lecture was titled 'What can electrical stimulation with a cochlear implant tell us about brain function and human consciousness, and how can it alleviate severe sensory neural deafness?'.

Lister Medal, Royal College of Surgeons of England, 4 Nov 2010 (File Item 65) - Box 26

Awarded to recipients in recognition of contributions to surgical science. On the occasion of the award, the medallist delivers the Lister Oration. Clark's presentation was titled 'What can electrical stimulation with a cochlear implant tell us about Brain Function and Human Consciousness?'.

Lasker Foundation, 2014 (File Item 66) - Folio-Box 27

Trophy to thank Clark as Lasker Lecturer

Fritz J. and Dolores H. Russ Prize, 24 Feb 2015 (File Item 67) - Folio-Box 27

Awarded biennially by the National Academy of Engineering and Ohio University recognizing a bioengineering achievement in widespread use that improves the human condition.

Medal awarded by the Paul Sabatier University of Toulouse, France, 2015 (File Item 68) - Folio-Box 27

Awarded to Clark for pioneering work on cochlear implants.

Fellow of the National Academy of Inventors, University of South Florida, USA, 2013 (File Item 69-70) - Folio-Box 27

The Academy recognizes and encourages inventors who have a patent issued from the United States Patent and Trademark Office (trophy and medal).

Degree of Honorary Member, European Academy of Otology and Neuro-Otology, Zaragoza, 20 May 2010 (File Item 71) - Folio-Box 28

Awarded to Clark on the recommendation of the President and the Steering Committee 'In recognition of his contributions to otology and neuro-Otology'.

Certificates, 2007-2010 (File Packet 72) - Folio-Box 28

Honorary Doctor of the University of Zaragoza, 2010; a press notice from the Royal College of Surgeons advising of Clark's receipt of the Lister Award, 2010; a certificate from the Max-Planck-Gesellschaft, 2007; and a photocopy of photograph of a bronze bust of Clark.

Honorary Doctor of Health Sciences, University of Technology Sydney, 2013 (File Item 73) - Folio-Box 28

Certificate and statement of Clark's achievements

Certificates, 1998-2013 (File Packet 74) - Folio-Box 28

Fellow of the Australian Academy of Science, for outstanding contributions to science, 1998; certificate relating to an honorarium as part of the Zotterman Medal award, 2011; Lasker-DeBakey Clinicla Medical Research Award, 2013

Lasker-DeBakey Clinical Research Award, 2013 (File Item 75) - Box 29

Trophy awarded to Clark 'For the development of the modern cochlear implant - a device that bestows hearing to individuals with profound deafness'

The Shambaugh Prize medallion, 2018 (File 76) - Box 26

This consignment comprises the Shambaugh Prize medallion in Otology, jointly awarded by the Collegium Oto-Rhino-Laryngologicum Amicitiae Sacrum (CORLAS) to Professor Graeme Clark, Ingeborg Hochmair and Claude-Henri Chouard in October 2018, for their research and development of the cochlear implant. Professor Clark is the first Australian recipient of the Prize.


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